Another Teaser for a future project

[Bob Schroeck]

"I know you, child..." the Express said wonderingly.  

Usagi was shocked into an uncharacteristic stillness.  "You do?"

"Indeed," it rumbled.  "You are young Serenity, daughter of 
Serenity.  You once rode in my coach as a babe, swaddled in white 
samite and held in your mother's arms." 

There was a flare of light and a crack like thunder, and the
living train vanished, replaced by what looked like a cross 
between a man and a robot.  He was large and muscular, and plates 
of gleaming steel made up his body, flexing like flesh as he
stepped toward the frozen Usagi.  Reaching out one massive, 
shining hand, he cupped her chin and studied her, a look of 
fondness growing upon his metallic face.

"Your mother was a dear friend of mine, child, and though you 
died these ten millennia past and have since been reborn, you 
still favor her greatly."  The Express looked around, and as its
eyes fell upon her, Rei felt the Mind behind them briefly plumb
her soul.  "And the other princesses as well.  Of course."  It 
nodded to itself and then turned its gaze back to Usagi.  
"Beryl and her army of demons rise again, then?"

Usagi took a breath, and Rei could see her visibly don her
princess aspect like a cloak.  "Yes, Locomotive-dono, they have."  
She gestured to the darkness surrounding them.  "This very night 
Beryl has struck at Tokyo.  I -- we -- have assembled an army to 
strike back."  

-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.